New Drug for Chemotherapy Side Effects

March 26, 2003 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the approval of a new
drug called Emend (aprepitant), to be used in combination with other anti-nausea
and anti-vomiting drugs for prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting
associated with initial and repeat courses of chemotherapy known to cause these
problems, including high-dose cisplatin.

Emend is the first FDA approved treatment that prevents the delayed nausea
and vomiting symptoms that many patients experience greater than 24 hours after
receiving chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is often very distressing for cancer
patients due to severe nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can be severely
debilitating, often resulting in patients' refusing further courses of
chemotherapy or in serious limitations on their lifestyle.

"This new drug is important in the management of chemotherapy induced
nausea and vomiting. It should improve cancer patients' quality of life, as well
as their ability to tolerate these treatments," stated Commissioner Mark
McClellan, M.D., Ph.D.

In 2002, the American Cancer Society found that over 1,284,900 new cases of
cancer were diagnosed in the United States. Emend can reduce nausea associated
with chemotherapy treatments used to treat cancers such as lung cancer, head and
neck cancer, and some female cancers.

Emend is part of a three-drug therapy that works with other drugs to treat
nausea and vomiting. It reduces nausea and vomiting in a new way by blocking
receptors in the brain called NK1 receptors.